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Brussels, a melting pot city
Brussels may be the European capital but it is also a veritable modern Babylon and champion of cultural diversity. Home to the most European Union institutions and NATO and the largest concentration of diplomats in the world, but Brussels is much more than that! Brussels is a metropolis on a human scale, a cosmopolitan region with a patchwork of contrasting atmospheres and populations of diverse origins that make it a global city, an urban landscape blending history and modernity. And last but not least, a concentration of galleries, arts centres and private collections.
Cradle of Art Nouveau Brussels is also the cradle of Art Nouveau, of which Victor Horta was the father. Many buildings still bear witness today, such as the Horta’ s house-turned-Museum, an ode to the elements of architectural style, the Tassel House, the founding work of Art Nouveau, listed as the UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, which can be visited on request, according to the availability of the owners of the premises, as well as the Magritte Museum. In addition to the Musical Instruments Museum whose collections include 8000 instruments of which 1200 are exposed to the public. The latter also has a restaurant on the top floor offering breathtaking a 360-degree view of the historic centre of Brussels.
Grand Place of Brussels Listed as UNESCO World Heritage site, the Grand Place is world renowned for its ornamental and aesthetic wealth. It is surrounded by the guild houses, the City Hall and the Maison du Roi. Numerous festive or cultural events are organized on the Grand-Place such as the Flower Carpet, event organised every two years in mid-August and with more than 500.000 begonias, and the Ommegang, held twice a year to commemorate the tribute created in 1549 during the coming of Charles the Fifth in Brussels( first Thursday of July and the preceding Tuesday). A grandiose folk
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procession with more than 2000 extras in period costume.
The Sablon Surrounded by old mansions, The hustle and bustle of Sablon- famous for its antique and vintage shops- will sweep you off your feet, especially at the Saturday and Sunday markets.
The Flea market The Flea market of the Place du Jeu de Balle in the Marolles- a real Ali Baba’ s cave- is certainly the most known Brussels market. It is held every morning from 06:00 a. m to 2:00 p. m. If you are interested in antique art and furniture, then you are in for a treat as the Flea market is where it happens, in a friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere.
The Atomium A landmark building- originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World’ s Fair – is now a museum. In the 1950s, faith in scientific progress was great, and a structure depicting atoms was chosen to embody this. Atomium depicts nine iron atoms in the shape of the body-centred cubic unit cell of an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times. 20 tubes rest on three pillars to connect the spheres.
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